Chapter 57: Self-Reproach

Zhou Kang, upon hearing this, was filled with regret and self-reproach. He wished he could turn back time and erase his presence from this place.

He knew that if Zhou Lin had simply been beaten by Leng Mohan, perhaps Leng Mohan would have calmed down, and this wouldn’t have escalated into such a huge mess. He regretted his impulsive act of stepping in to defend Zhou Lin.

Leng Mohan saw the unwillingness in Zhou Kang’s eyes and the defiance in Zhou Lin’s, and secretly sneered to himself. He thought it laughable that they lost their composure so easily.

He turned to his squadron leader, Ou Cheng, and said, “Squadron Leader, tomorrow I will write a complaint letter detailing Zhou Lin’s abuse of my wife and the second squadron leader’s partiality towards his nephew. Please help me submit it.”

Then, Leng Mohan looked at those around him who were happy and relieved that he had beaten Zhou Lin, and continued, “For Zhou Lin’s past threats or bullying of you all, you can write anonymously and leave it at my door. Tomorrow I will take them all to my squadron leader for submission.”

Zhou Kang’s eyes widened, and his anger was evident. He roared, “Leng Mohan, don’t push it too far! I’ve already put Zhou Lin under confinement for a month, and he missed this month’s competition because of it. Aren’t you satisfied?”

His voice carried a hint of helplessness and heartache, as if he was extremely dissatisfied with Leng Mohan’s aggressive pressure.

“Who’s pushing it too far, you know in your heart. If Zhou Lin had done nothing wrong, what are you afraid of? Why are you so guilty and angry?” Leng Mohan wasn’t afraid of him.

He had little ability but many ideas.

Zhou Kang was speechless. Yes, if Zhou Lin hadn’t done anything, what would he be afraid of? The problem was that Zhou Lin had done many things, abusing his power and authority.

Before, it could be said that they turned a blind eye, because no one spoke up. But now, it was Leng Mohan, a thorn in their side, who brought it up. He had previously thought Leng Mohan was a good match, wanting his daughter to marry him to cultivate a relationship. Now it seemed he had underestimated him, and Leng Mohan didn’t look favorably upon his daughter either.

Zhou Kang suppressed his anger, his gaze fixed on Zhou Lin. His voice carried an undeniable authority: “Zhou Lin, immediately apologize to everyone and submit a three-thousand-word self-criticism tomorrow. Furthermore, your position as platoon leader will be revoked, and you will be demoted to a private.”

He turned to Leng Mohan, his brow furrowed, trying to quell the other’s anger with this approach. “Is this satisfactory to you?”

Zhou Kang had done everything he could for Zhou Lin. He knew that if Leng Mohan really reported this matter, Zhou Lin’s military career would be stained, leaving him no choice but to be transferred out.

Although Leng Mohan felt that this punishment was quite severe for Zhou Lin, he had no sympathy for him.

In his opinion, Zhou Lin’s actions were entirely self-inflicted. Daring to speak disrespectfully to his wife, Leng Mohan, was simply asking for death.

“And a major demerit. Tomorrow, I will ensure everyone collects all the records of his past bullying and have them firmly imprinted in his file,” Leng Mohan coldly said to Zhou Kang.

This major demerit would follow Zhou Lin for life; he must pay the price for his mistakes.

Zhou Kang glared at him, his anger burning like a flame. Leng Mohan was trying to completely destroy Zhou Lin.

Although he had stripped Zhou Lin of his position as platoon leader, there were still ways to help him regain it in the future.

However, if a major demerit were recorded in his file, leaving Zhou Lin’s mistakes forever etched, that would be a truly fatal blow. It would mean he would never have the chance for promotion in any public office position.

” Captain Zhou, do you intend to handle this yourself, or should I take over? I must remind you, if anything goes wrong, I’m not someone who shows mercy. My personality is that I either don’t do it, or I do it thoroughly and perfectly. I will ensure that every action of Zhou Lin’s is meticulously recorded, clearly and transparently, so you won’t later accuse me of shoddy work,” Leng Mohan’s words revealed a venomous sharpness.

Zhou Kang’s face was livid, and he gritted his teeth: “Fine, I’ll do as you say. I’ll handle it myself. Don’t bother yourself.”

“That’s better,” Leng Mohan’s lips curled into a cold smile, as if everything was under his control.

Zhou Kang held Zhou Lin tightly, preparing to leave this place of conflict, but Leng Mohan suddenly spoke, his voice laced with a hint of mockery, “Stop.”

“Is this the kind of upbringing your family provides? Even when someone does wrong, they don’t know how to say sorry?” Leng Mohan looked at Zhou Kang.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Lin was instantly furious and turned to glare at Leng Mohan: “Leng Mohan, what are you? You dare to hit me and want me to apologize? My uncle will deal with you sooner or later.”

Hearing this, Zhou Kang inwardly groaned. He knew his nephew had a bad temper, but the current situation was not the time to act recklessly. He squeezed Zhou Lin’s arm hard, signaling him to shut up.

“Zhou Lin, apologize,” Zhou Kang’s voice carried an undeniable authority. He knew that at this moment, only by humbling himself could this storm be calmed.

Leng Mohan looked at Zhou Kang, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He had done this on purpose. He did this not only to warn the Zhou family, but also those who resented Luo Jiaojiao, letting them know that in this world, there were some people they couldn’t afford to offend.

Luo Jiaojiao was someone he protected; he himself wouldn’t dare to hit or scold her, so why should anyone else have the right or qualification?

“Captain Zhou, this is the nephew you raised?” Leng Mohan said calmly. “I hope you’ll discipline him properly to prevent him from causing bigger trouble in the future.”

Zhou Kang nodded repeatedly, agreeing. He knew that today’s events were a settlement with Leng Mohan. As for the future, he would discipline Zhou Lin more strictly to prevent him from causing further trouble.

Zhou Lin’s heart trembled, and seeing his uncle’s sharp gaze, he couldn’t help but feel a little fear. However, this fear transformed into a deeper hatred for Leng Mohan. In his heart, he silently vowed, “Leng Mohan, just you wait.”

Under Zhou Kang’s strong pressure, Zhou Lin had no choice but to grit his teeth and reluctantly utter those three words: “I’m sorry.”

“Is that enough?” Zhou Kang’s voice was filled with dissatisfaction and unwillingness.

Leng Mohan looked at Luo Jiaojiao, whose eyes were still red, like a rabbit’s. She had already cried before, and now she was crying again because of this incident. He felt that he had been too light on Zhou Lin earlier.

“Jiaojiao, are you willing to forgive him? It’s okay if you don’t. He won’t have an easy time in the future. Didn’t he say his family is wealthy? Then let him go back and live off his family’s money,” Leng Mohan said disdainfully, looking at Zhou Lin.